General - Free resources
Research
- Innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training: international perspectives [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice internationally. It found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their 'daily grind' to think about what they can do differently and how. They need to be supported to test out new resources and pedagogies in a culture of active experimentation. - Learning and teaching in initial vocational education and training [2000]
(Source: NCVER)
This report looks at students' and teachers' perceptions of initial VET. It also reveals how students engage in learning in education and training, provides a description of current teaching practices, and shows the influences which shape learning and teaching in initial VET. - Learning styles in the age of differentiated instruction [article, 2010]
(Source: Exceptionality: A Special Education Journal, Taylor and Francis)
The concept of learning styles has tremendous logical and intuitive appeal, and educators' desire to focus on learning styles is understandable. Recently, a growing emphasis on differentiated instruction may have further increased teachers' tendency to look at learning styles as an instructionally relevant variable when individualizing instruction in increasingly heterogeneous classrooms. We discuss the overlapping concepts of individualized instruction and differentiated instruction, briefly review the evidence base for learning styles, and argue that instruction should indeed be individualized and differentiated. We conclude that there is insufficient evidence, however, to support learning styles as an instructionally useful concept when planning and delivering appropriately individualized and differentiated instruction. - Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY)
A study that follows young Australians over 10 years, from their mid-teens to mid-twenties, as they move through school to further study, work and beyond. - NCVER statistical collection - Students and courses
Data on all Australian VET activity, including enrolments, completions and funding. - NCVER survey - National Student Outcomes
Survey of VET graduate outcomes from and satisfaction with Australia's national training system. - Regenerating the Australian landscape of professional VET practice: practitioner-driven changes to teaching and learning [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia. It is based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. - Students' suggestions for improving their vocational education and training experience [2009]
(Source: NCVER)
An analysis of student verbatim responses in the Student Outcome Survey provides suggestions for how the vocational education and training (VET) system could be improved. Eight major domains are discussed: course relevance and design; staff attributes and behaviours; teaching and learning practices; access to courses; facilities and services; assessment practices; learning resources; equipment and materials; initial information provision; and administration and learning support services.
Focus on practice
- Good practice in VET teaching and learning: a guide to practitioner perspectives [2017]
(Source: Victorian Department of Education and Training)
This guide provides information about, and examples of, good practice in teaching and learning for VET providers. It was commissioned by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and developed by drawing on the wide and varied experiences of VET practitioners working in the government-subsidised training market in Victoria. - Faculty focus: higher ed teaching strategies [US]
(Source: Magna Publications)
A series of free reports focusing on what works and what doesn't when it comes to teaching, learning and leading - both in the traditional classroom and online. - Teaching in the VET sector in Australia [2014]
This book provides an in-depth exploration of both the theory and the practice of teaching in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia. Each chapter invites the reader to reflect on their own practice and offers practical examples and case stories to assist the teacher to develop their own professional expertise. - TAE40110 -Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Learning Design) book of readings [2016]
(Source: MRWED Training and Assessment)
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- Pedagogy
- Pedagogy - Canada and US
- Pedagogy - New Zealand
- Pedagogy - UK and Ireland
- Podlet [archived]: Theory and practice [final update December 2018]
For purchase
This is an example only of a commercial product. Inclusion on this list does not signify endorsement by NCVER.
- Thoughtful Works NEW
Provision of workshops, facilitation and coaching in areas including: engaging learners; vulnerable learners; supporting VET teachers in teaching and learning practice; professionalizing the practice of adult educators; and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
Examples of workshops:- Accommodating students with dyslexia and other specific learning differences
- Advanced teacher/trainer facilitation
This workshop facilitates reflection on practice, testing of familiar habits and investigation of research-based teaching strategies. - Developing assessments that suit all levels of learning
- Developing student voice to improve teaching and learning
- Developing students as learners
- Effective feedback: the what, why, when and how
- How to teach the essential skills and capabilities
- Engaging learners
Learn effective strategies to ensure your students are engaged in learning as well as progressing - Managing challenging behaviours
- Successful ways to engage and support disadvantaged learners
Identify barriers and share strategies to progress student learning and achievement using a solution-based approach - Teaching essentials - growing educators
This workshop addresses the core essentials of teaching such as planning, getting feedback, instruction methods and building a community of learners. - The impact of trauma on learning
- The new educator
Understand what learning looks like for the 21st century and move your practice into a new space of collaboration and activation. Create a positive and strong learning culture to engage educators in contemporary teaching pedagogy and practice. - VCAL workshops
Literacy, assessment, principles, integrated projects
Adult learning - Free resources
Focus on practice
- 7 top facts about the adult learning theory [online article, 2018 update]
(Source: eLearning Industry) - Adult learning principles
(Source: Adult Learning Australia) - Basic principles of adult learning
(Source: University of Queensland)
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- Australian Journal of Adult Learning
- Podlet [archived]: Adult learning [final update December 2018]
Competency based education and training - Free resources
Research
- Competency based education and training: a world perspective [2000]
(Source: VOCEDplus)
This book examines the implementation of competency based education in some of those countries, including Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Cost Rica, South Africa and France. - Competency-based learning [book chapter, Canada, 2015]
(Source: Teaching in a digital age: guidelines for designing teaching and learning, BC Open Textbooks) - The problematic role of CBT in Australian VET [paper, 2018]
(Source: University of Melbourne)
For many who work in the system, CBT is the only curriculum model they know for vocational education. This discussion describes the attractions of CBT to make clear that the architects of training reform had good reason to make CBT the cornerstone of a new system. This survey is followed by a systematic look at criticisms and shortcomings of CBT as articulated by researchers and other stakeholders. Finally, two questions are presented which would be useful to ponder in any attempt to shift away from CBT. - Working with a competency-based Training Package: a contextual investigation from the perspective of a group of TAFE teachers [article, 2015]
(Source: International Journal of Training Research, Taylor and Francis)
Reforms in the Australian VET landscape have generated significant interest in the changes to the delivery and nature of formal (off-the-job) training provided by RTOs. In this study, despite the reticence to change their pedagogy, the teachers capitalized upon the inherent flexibility in the Training Package framework to tailor and create opportunities for apprentices to apply and contextualize their knowledge and skills to realistic workplace tasks.
Focus on practice
- 12 steps for implementing competency-based training [online article, 2018]
(Source: eLearning Industry) - A guide to writing competency based training materials [2003]
(Source: National Volunteers Skills Centre)
This guidebook is written as an application focused reference for novice and veteran trainers, working in the not-for-profit sectors, who develop or deliver competency based materials or learning activities. - Clustering units of competency: a guide to how to cluster for delivery and assessment [1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions]
(Source: Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development)
In order to meet clients' needs and maximise outcomes, registered training organisations (RTOs) need to develop processes and products that focus on the quality of the learning and assessment experience. The purpose of this publication is to provide RTOs with guidance about how to use clustering to improve delivery and assessment practice. - Competency based training: how to do it - for trainers: a guide for teachers and trainers on approaches to competency based training [1993]
(Source: VEETAC) - Employability skills: from framework to practice: an introductory guide for trainers and assessors [2006]
(Source: Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training)
This resource is written specifically for individuals who provide competency based training and assessment in the VET sector. In addition to explaining what employability skills are, it outlines how they have been included in training packages. - Fact sheets
- Competency-based training
(Source: Australian Government Department of Education and Training) - Competence Based Training (CBT): introduction and definitions
(Batchelor Institute)
- Competency-based training
- Getting started with competency-based training (CBT) [2018]
(Source: eLearning Industry) - Practical guide to using training packages [2000]
(Source: South Australian Department of Education, Training and Employment)
The CD ROM is designed to provide practitioners with background information about training packages and case studies and examples of the ways in which training packages may be used in a variety of training contexts. The CD ROM is both IBM and Apple Macintosh compatible.
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- Competency based training: best practice
- Competency based training: guides
- Competency based training: teaching and training materials
For purchase
This is an example only of a commercial product. Inclusion on this list does not signify endorsement by NCVER.
- Velg Training Learner Motivation Manual template NEW
Use this Learner Motivation Manual as part of your RTO’s response to Standard 1.7, ‘Support learners’. This document is designed to encourage students throughout their learning journey, and to motivate them toward achieving their study goals with your RTO.
Problem based learning - Free resources
Research
- Problem-based learning: student engagement, learning and contextualised problem-solving [case study report, 2009]
(Source: NCVER)
The adoption of problem-based learning as a teaching method in the advertising and public relations programs offered by the Business TAFE School at RMIT University is explored in this occasional paper. The effect of problem-based learning on student engagement, student learning and contextualised problem-solving was investigated and it was found that students perceive problem-based learning to be beneficial. Several success factors for this approach are also identified. - Handbook of enquiry and problem-based learning: Irish case studies and international perspectives [book, 2005, Ireland]
(Source: All Ireland Society for Higher Education [AISHE])
Focus on practice
- 10 tips for effective problem-based learning: the ultimate instructional solution [online article, 2015]
(Source: Open Colleges) - Teaching soils online using a problem-based learning design [conference paper, 2001)
(Source: Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education)
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- Problem-based learning [2014-2019, international]
Work-based learning - Free resources
Research
- The hidden classroom of the workplace: how employees learn at work in both formal and informal ways [US, 2014]
- The workplace learning examples described in this report are taken from real portfolios by working adults participating in LearningCounts. The examples show how the workplace can, and does, serve as a learning laboratory for workers, suggesting that employers might benefit from understanding more about how this learning laboratory can contribute to the organization.
- Work-based learning and work-integrated learning: fostering engagement with employers [2016]
(Source: NCVER)
Work-based learning and the inclusion of the world of work into tertiary students' learning lie at the heart of the Australian VET system. Despite the strong emphasis of work-based learning in post-secondary education, both VET providers and universities faces challenges when it comes to engaging industry and employers in these educational provisions. This research synthesis draws on the literature on work-based learning and work-integrated learning to identify how engagement with industry and employers can be fostered, and what the two sectors can learn from each other.
Focus on practice
- Principles of good practice: guidelines for implementation and definitions for work based learning programs in TAFE NSW [1995]
(Source: NSW TAFE Commission)
This document outlines the principles of good practice for work-based learning programs and presents related guidelines and definitions which aim to assist teachers, trainers and course designers in the effective implementation of work-based programs. - Vocational placements [fact sheet]
(Source: Fair Work Ombudsman)
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For purchase
This is an example only of a commercial product. Inclusion on this list does not signify endorsement by NCVER.
- Global perspectives on work-based learning initiatives [book, 2019]
(Source: IGI Global)
This publication provides research on recent progress in selected countries across the globe in educational programs designed to better prepare students for the workforce through the use of work-related learning.